Songs of Lorium

[Lydyn]

'Finally,' she thought to herself as she glanced to the other two. She didn't have anything against them, but she was just irritated by being around the castle right now - completely unaware of the new king. She quickly followed after the adviser, easily catching up to her to walk side-by-side. Being so close, she could feel the slight tinge of chill across her skin, creating gentle goosebumps. She always loved the feeling, being a stark contrast to her own abilities and hardly failed to make her smile a little bit. "Been a while since I've felt your chill, Isabella ..." she commented honestly, glancing over to the woman for a moment. If it had been in another time and another place, Jasmine may have had to nerve to ask if the icey woman was even remotely interested in other women, but to this day there was never a time for it.

Shaking her head a little to free herself from daydreams, she inhaled deeply. "I mean no disrespect to the royal line by saying this, but I cannot follows orders of our King Belum." Obviously, Dame Fireheart's information was outdated. "I refuse to fight boys and even girls for his blood-thirsty plot to expand his kingdom. Nothing is worth that sort of bloodshed."

[Katelyn]

Isabella:

Isabella's lip lifted slightly at the other woman's words. No one ever got used to the wintery affect of her body temperature. "Not sure if that is a compliment or not, but the way I'm feeling today, I'm going to take it as one."

She continued to walk quickly with purpose, listening intently to her fellow guard. At the woman's words she stopped dead in her tracks and turned to face her, "Belum is dead. Zak is being corronated as King today." She didn't wait for the other woman to continue after she laid the heavy news on her, "What blood-thirsty plot are you referring to? I never agreed to anyone being harmed or killed that wasn't a direct threat to us, our kingdom or the royal family?"

She started walking again, "Come... explain further yourself and know that I cannot take your resignation. You're the best I have and I'll kill you before I lose you." She walked into the castle, keepign the door open for her comrade with a burst of icy wind.

[One of the mind]

He lounges casually, hidden away within the dark shadow that the castle walls cast upon the ground. His eyelids slowly close, his gray eyes being lost to the world, as he feels the familiar sensation of shadows wrapping around his entire form. An extremely useful power in the dark of night creating an illusion of him not even being there, it remains potent during the day light hours, obscuring his form enough that most common individuals would not even take note of his presence. Eyes remaining closed, he takes in a soft breathe through his nostrils, filling his lungs with air tinted ever so slightly with the easily distinguishable scent of winter. A very slight smile, no more than a twitch of the extreme corners of his lips, comes upon his face as he relishes this news. Many more hours of heavy darkness are approaching within the coming months.

Hearing footsteps approaching the castle entrance, the very area that his body is pressed up so tightly against, he forces himself out of his peaceful daydream, once more entering reality. Eyes flickering open, all he sees is a woman coated in fire, no not fire, but exceeding amounts of red. From her hair, to the armor adorning her body, all is coated in a brilliant shade of red. Wondering idly the purpose of this lady knight, for there is no other reasonable explanation for her standard of armor and blade, his eyes soon find themselves on the form of a large man, his chest barren of any clothing. Thoughts roll slowly through Taulmaril’s mind, as he takes in the presence of the man, which holds a factor of intimidation that goes beyond his physical attributes.

Keeping his body perfectly still, crouching right against the entrance, in a shadow barely large enough to support his lithe frame, he continues to observe the two, as the man begins making conversation with the woman, asking for directions, revealing a need for an audience with the new king. These words almost cause a reaction from Taulmaril, as he had not realized that there was a new king, never much of one to pay attention to politics unless a contract was involved. Mentally shaking this from his mind, his eyes continue to watch the two, wondering where their conversation would lead.

He is not given long to learn more, as yet another woman appears, staff of flawless ice with her. This woman he knows, well knows of at any rate. Although having no need to keep up with politics, he always keeps his ear to the ground for any word of assassins of skill, which lead him to learning of Isabella. He is not sure who she has killed, nor if she still does, but her name was the first to cross his ears. Body already still as stone, he freezes his movements further by not allowing even his eyes to move, focusing fully on the trio. He is caught off guard because of this, when the trio’s attention focuses slightly off to the side, where yet another male’s voice resonates from. Focusing intently, he forces his eyes to not move, despite the curiosity.

Internally he allows himself to relax ever so slightly, hearing the words that fall from Isabella’s lips, as she asks the woman in red to accompany her into the castle. Watching as the pair move out of his view, he relaxes further, still not allowing it to affect him externally, listening to the voice of a man that yet remains hidden, and speaking of agendas for visiting the castle. Viewing this as the best time to make his presence known, he slowly rises and takes a step away from the area he had been hiding, shadows clinging to his body momentarily.

“I cannot speak for the others that have found themselves here, but as for myself I have been hired by a wealthy patron to observe the coronation of our glorious new king, and report back to him any activities that take place prior to, during, or after the event.” A brilliant smile lights up his face, as he swings down into a low bow, the words that fall from his lips complete truth, with certain details removed from it, but truth none the less.

[Lydyn]

Dispite the somewhat shocking news and of course the demanding question that reminded her of a battle she'd rather forget, the blast of cold air makes her smile softly again. It slowly fades as she thinks on how to address the icey adviser. "I was told by means of messenger that the king wanted a certain village wiped clean as a strategic point in expanding his kingdom ... I did not stay long, however ... I made my way back to the castle to resign. Though.. I had hoped you wouldn't kill me for it," she added at the end with a hint of surprise in her voice.

Jasmine then regarded the woman for a few moments. She had skin as pale as snow and her hair almost reflected light as if they were made of ice crystals. Jasmine was well assured of herself that Isabella was no human or if she was, some sort of power had kept a normal body away from her, but she didn't mind at all unlike most. With those thoughts, she decided to add after a few moments, "I enjoy the feeling, by the way - the chill. Surprised I never said anything before." As the comment passed from her lips, the knight removed the piece of string that held her hair up in a ponytail and let it down, now free to run her hands through it, freeing a few knots.

[Katelyn]

Isabella:

Isabella stopped at Zak's door and looked over at Jasmine, "I'm going to have to look into the situation you are speaking of much more closely than I can at the moment with all that is happening today. You're not resigning, you're not getting killed, but I do need you to head up the guards while I play advisor to our new King."

She knew she needed to have a more in-depth conversation with Jasmine, but the demands on her time and her nerves was pressed into a fine line. She opened the door and looked over her shoulder, "Make yourself at home, and announce your return and my approval of you leading the security today." She paused and removed her royal sig ring, handing it to the other woman as it froze the tips of Jasmine's peach fingers for just a moment in time.

"Thank you for not doing what you were told to do. It's because of those decisions that you will find yourself in high leadership with me and Marcus in his castle. Protect us today, Jasmine and you and I will get to the bottom of what happened at your last post." She turned and walked into the room, fully trusting the woman on the other side of the door.

Zack:

Zack looked up and sighed with relief.

"I don’t know what to think of all of this, Isabella."

Isabella thought about the look on the Chandlers face and it still stirred emotions deep in her belly. She had been watching him and something was amiss, but what she was unsure. She was wise about all things governmental, economical, tactical, but human emotions, justifications, actions... those were quite out of her comfort zone.

She’d spend so much time alone, scourging the borders of her former home as an assassin, a killer. She’d never pondered the kill, but did what was best for the kingdom at the time. The advisors of this day and age were so different. Everyone having an opinion and agenda that they felt needed to be pressed and in its acceptance, they validated their worth. Silly humans.

She looked up at Zak, his voice having gathered it’s deep manhood not but three or four years ago. Her expression remained serene and calm as she addressed him.

“Your highness, I do not believe your father would dishonor you, nor your brother in any such manner. I am sad to say that upon one’s death bed, perhaps, decisions are made in a final effort to create a world in which the burden of responsibility does not fall upon your beloved, but upon a group of well-respected individuals.”

Zak began to speak and she touched his forearm with her icy fingers, “Let me finish, you know I support you, take my words as they are – wrapped in respect and honor for you and your bloodline.”

Zak nodded and she removed her hand, leaving small icy crystals on the top of his tanned arm. He smirked and dusted them off as she continued.

“You are still King, Zak – not your brother and not the Chandler, you. You have a grand opportunity to use this new proclamation to access even more history and knowledge – pure wisdom from your advisors in making decisions. A monarchy is only as good as its last leader and is remembered for the one’s that allowed it to fall. One man cannot make robust decisions based on his limited experiences, no matter the age, my Lord. This is something that we will accept with dignity and grace and we will win them over, one by one. Each one that has a vote will bow before you and will then stand and respect you, not because you told them to, but because you planted seeds of wisdom and knowledge in their hearts and allowed them to respond to you of their own accord.”

Zak moved closer to her and groaned, "I believe Chandler will see to my fall, Isabella. Tell me...do you feel the same as the rest of the cabinet committee?"

Isabella pondered his question for a moment. “I am here to serve the royal blood of this Kingdom, my King. To protect and advise you as your personal advisor away from the confines of the original council. That being said, I agree with much of what the council believes, but I know that each decision that we, as a country, must make will need to be viewed separately. Just as you would expect, I agree with some, but not all that they believe.” She reached out and brushed his hair back, leaned in and kissed his forehead, whispering to him, “You are more than able to do this and what I do not believe in is unimportant, because above all, I believe in you.” She moved back and turned to go.

“I need to visit Father Hammond before your speech. Do not go outside on that balcony without me or it will be you who needs to visit the priest for your final confession.” She called over her shoulder and the rare hint of a smile touched her light blue lips.

[Lydyn]

Jasmine looked down at the ring and admired the frost that touched her fingertips more than the ring itself. It was not often that anything could leave ice on her skin and it somewhat amazed the woman as it quickly turned into water and dripped off. Isabella though, was business as usual, which tinged the knight a little. It reminded her how lonely it had been in her life and how little time she had to even attempt to find a friend - let alone anything more. She glanced up at the adviser and nodded once.

Slipping the ring onto her right middle finger, she brushed her hair behind her ear and took a deep breath. 'Here we go again..' she thought. Turning quickly she gestured for one of the guards to come closer. "You heard her, soldier ... make way to rally the message of setting up guards at any and every point of entrance - I don't care if it's a mouse hole, if it can somehow be magically or naturally bypassed, I need a guard posted." She had gained confidence in her young years as a Knight Commander, but only had a few people to answer to, sometimes making her wonder if she was making the right call. A decision was better than none at all, though, she believed.

The guardsmen nodded and walked quickly, telling the others that Dame Fireheart had asked them to guard any entrance - even mouse holes (which made the knight smile slightly, despite her somewhat sour mood). They seemed uncharacteristically organized, but it wasn't because of training persay, but the word of the knight's return, The Fire Heart as many people had come to know her as.

With that done, Jasmine took herself to the courtyard where most people would be gathering to hear the king and his speech - whatever it consisted of. Here, she simply examined and studied, imagining assassins running the walls, scaling the sides, and throwing daggers from the audience. She doubted it would happen, but she was to try her best to be prepared. She never did like assassins - a bit hard for her skillset to deal with.

[JerkChicken]

"So this is Lorenth, one of the many lands of these sickly looking people," Eagle thought to himself silently as he walked around this new and odd land "They have the materials we- I could use but yet the squander it as it shows in the masses as if the Kings before them were nothing but mal-educated peasants."

It was only a couple of months before he was in his homeland speaking his mother tongue not this awkward gibberish they call a language, enjoying the benefits associated by one sharing his social standing, most importantly enjoying the company of many a woman. Yet he had duties to do this Journey being one that he could also mix business with pleasure. Accompanying him was his trusty companion Featheredclaw on whom he depended for company and aid with his magic. Namely really learning the languages effortlessly so as to not appear completely ignorant as well talking. Currently in an effort to keep their already conspicuous appearance to a minimum they were under agreement to have him pose as a dumb animal much to the personal grievance of his friend. Their cover story was that he was just a foreign wanderer that occasionally did trade, which he actually did for along the ride he with his own money to acquire many fine jewelry and nonperishable food items to sell; his jewelry on his body weren't there just for looks too though most hidden except for some bits not obscured by his rather plain clothes could be used as an emergency lifeline.

Still he was alone a stranger in a sea of these pale faced foreigners with odd colored eyes and hair. While not outwardly aggressive they still eyed him with an oddly invigorating mix of cautious apprehension and fascination.These peasants while decent are put to shame by even the commoners back home, are they all this unkempt here?" again he thought to himself while paying his fee at this very nice inn "They wouldn't even be worth to put as the lowest and file soldiers!" "Thank you very much" said the cute receptionist in a rather familiar tone of voice. "You're welcome.." he said even his accent he has tailored to have this agreeable exotic tinge to it despite his realm accent being far from unpleasant or unintelligible, her cheeks turned slightly reddish; another odd trait of these pale faced foreigners.

While oddly flattering it killed much of the chase for him as with his own women they could not do this instead he would have to look at other more subtle displays. Also it really wasn't too much of a surprise to him as he has been during his stay he was shameless flirt with her as he made small talk and learned more of this place. "Also I'll take this plate of food to the stables" he said casually exiting to aforementioned area with her typical response of not getting it too dirty in equal nonchalance.

Hey wake up!"

He said as he approached a long and large beautifully plumed reptilian figure.
"Ahh yes I smell it quite easily" it said excitedly as it uncurled from its resting position. The figure now competitively alert craned its head towards Eagle and promptly asked "I see it's that delightful salty soup and I do hope it's that same spiced meat I've grown rather fond of it lately" he said snapping his jowls ravenously as he shook the straw off his body. "So tell me what does the Great Threesome Rabbit, the great celestial deflowerer of horde of many fair maidens has been up to?" he asked now taken as he hungrily ate up the sup grasping it in his claw hands opening up the mouth full as a long tongue reached every last corner of the thick soup. Rabbit simply smiled and told him to keep it quiet as they don't want to be anymore conspicuous and told him that the day finally arrived.

"Oh really? Did the great warrior finally get up the courage to introduce her to one of the many beds she must tend?he asked in between bites of the spiced chunk of pork. No it has finally come the entire centerpiece of our stay here. The boy king who seems unworthy of even running one our most basic village on the outskirts of the empire is to be giving a speech in regards to his coronation or some such thing" Indeed it was the point of the visit here where in previous foreign country neighboring this one they heard of the rumors of a young king and his potential challenges which interested Rabbit in regards of how these foreign leaders handle problems and partly because he projected a connection of his own future responsibilities to this boy, however in his mind he was far superior in many ways.

As they left the Inn they flashed smile to the receptionist as they passed her window. "Perhaps you will let me in one of these bars for a shot I've been getting rather thirsty" Featheredclaw murmured to Rabbit as they try to negotiate the incoming mob of commoners crowding to see the boy king and his "grand speech" "Why not it´s not like they buy entirely the story that you´re just a dumb animal" With that conversation they meandered their way to where the crowd was thickest, easing their way to a better view of the king's speaking are.

[rileylovespanda]

Leo decided that it was now or never if he wanted help with completing the task that the elders of his village had given him. When he was next to the group of men that were also gathered around he felt quite out of place. They were all some much larger than he was, and so much more intimidating. He reckoned that more than one of them could break him right in half if they so wished. Leo quickly shook the thoughts of being broken in half out of his mind. He remembered that there was a reason the elders had chosen him, and not one of themselves.

He was slightly surprised when a man suddenly stepped out of the shadows near the group. His initial thought was that the man reminded him of one of the poisonous snakes that lived back home. Leo attempted to wrap his arms closer to his chest, trying to get rid of the cold and the slight worry that was plaguing him. He had not yet gotten used to being in a place where the sun could be out and it wasn't hot enough to make you sweat immediately when you stepped outside.

"My name is Leo Eversong. The elders of my village, the lone village on the continent of Eurah, have sent me hear to..." He stopped. He was at a loss for words, unsure of what to say since he himself didn't fully know why he had been sent here. "I suppose to make sure the peace between the inhabitants of Eurah and the Kingdom of Lorium continues to exist." He gave a half-hearted smile, trying more to reassure himself of what he had said more than he was trying to assure the men that stood around him.

[Gryphon]

Sid frowned at the woman’s hasty dismissal, but bowed his head nonetheless. “Thank you miss.” he began, determined to continue but was interrupted by a chill that ran up his back and caused a hint of a shiver from the monk. He frowned. A winter’s breeze was not uncommon this time of year, but he had not detected any change in the air, and the chill made him wonder.

He turned his attention to the white haired lass that approached, looking downwards at the small, young-looking girl who gripped her stave with a sudden apprehension. “Actually, I traveled here from-“ he began, before he was yet again interrupted by the arrival of a new figure. He turned quickly as the man simply stepped out of thin air, taking a step back in trepidation. His fingers curled tightly into fists as a precautionary reflex, but the man seemed to come in peace, so Sid relaxed and stood straight.

“And who might you be?” he said. Before he could receive an answer, he glanced sideways, suddenly realizing that the women had been replaced by a holy-looking man. His eyes followed after the girls, realizing suddenly that he still had questions that needed answering. “Wait! I didn’t…” he said, before letting out a long sigh and stuffing his hands in his pockets.

His eyes turned now to the priest, looking him up and down quickly. He raised his hand slightly at the latest arrival. He had no intention of being interrupted again. “Please, sir, allow me to speak.” He said, slightly frustrated, before turning back to the priest. “My name is Sid Targar, Monk of the Order of Heiracles. I seek audience with the new King. Perhaps you would be able to assist me in that?” He looked expectantly at the man.

[Callthecops]

Flashing a quick smile to the sorceress he retorted, “I had heard you were clever Ms. Treaumont, you are right. But it is apparent that you must attend to separate business, and that the Father will attend to mine. Perhaps we shall speak again soon.” And with that, the knight and sorceress took their leave, and a man stepped out of the shadows.

While the newcomer, the boy, and the monk each spoke their piece and received the Fathers responses, Jestar noted the young one's obviously unsuitable clothing. So, in a manner rather uncharacteristic of men tainted by demons, Jestar knelt to the ground and picked up a rock slightly smaller than the palm of his hand. Holding the stone firmly in his right hand, he imbued it with an unnatural heat. Turning to the boy, Jestar presented him the stone, "Hold this close to you and the heat will radiate outwards and keep you warm for now. The heat won't last forever though, so you should still try to find some better clothes." He said, smiling. For whatever reason, Jestar had always had a soft spot for children.

Now, turning back to the holy man, Jestar spoke up, “Father, I must speak with either the new King, or whomever represents his majesty’s wishes.”